Printing means in autographic registers



Feb. 26, 1957 J. T. DAVIDSON 2,782,714

PRINTING MEANS 1N AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed Feb. 28, 1952 6Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR J//A/ Z' 0A l//DSON H5 ATTO NEY Feb. 26, 1957J. T. DAVIDSON PRNTING MEANS 1N AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 28, 1952 INVENTOR J JaH/v 70m/m50# B MQW,

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ATTO NEY Feb. 26, 1957 J. T. DAVIDSON 2,782,714

PRNTING MEANS IN AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed Feb. 28, 1952 6Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR JOHN 2' DA I//D50/V wwlm Feb- 26, 1957 J. T.DAVIDSON PRINTING MEANS IN AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 28, 1,952

' INVENTOR JOHN T DA V/QS/V Smwl VUM ATTO NEY Feb. 26, i957 J. T.DAVIDSON 2,782,714

PRINTING MEANS 1N AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed Feb, 28, 1952 esheets-sheet 5 mvENToR JOHN Z- DV/SO/V NEY Feb 26, 1957 J. T. DAVIDSONPRINTING MEANS 1N AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 28.1952 w D cnw mm m7 im um ATT RNEY PRINTING MEANS EN AUTGGRAPHICREGESTERS .lohn T. Davidson, Dayton, Gilio, assignor to The Stand-Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, .a corporation of io ApplicationFebruary 2S, 1952, Serial No. 274,021

Claims. (Cl. lill-274) This invention relates to autographic registersand like machines, and particularly to devices of the kind noted adaptedfor imprinting upon the record forms, as from personal address oridentification plates.

The purpose of the invention is to achieve in imprinting devicesoperable upon the "chargea-plate type of printing plate the advantagesof an autographic register, some of these being the positive advancementand alignment of forms for registration and imprinting, the eliminationof excessive handling of carbon for record copies, and the use ofcontinuous forms c-onsecutively numbered with the automatic issuance ofany desired number of copies.

While for illustrative purposes the invention is herein shown anddescribed as embodied in a manually operated autographic registermechanism, it is not necessarily limited thereto, but may be embodied inan electric register of the semi-automatic type. The invention formingthe subject matter hereof involves the inclusion in a register or othertype of transaction recording mechanism of the charge-a-plate system ofidentification together with the means of insuring the imprinting of theidentification indicia at predetermined areas upon the record materialand the proper sequential operation of the various parts of themechanism.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well asthe means and mode of operation of register mechanisms whereby they maynot only be economically manufactured, but will be more eflicient inuse, uniform in action, having a minimum number of working parts, and beunlikely to get out of repair.

Another object of theinvention is to provide for the retaining of alocked in copy. of the imprinted forms for audit purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and easilyoperated imprinting unit which occupies the position in the registernormally taken by the tear bar and hold-down clamp and which performsits own function and those of the parts replaced without occupying anymore space than the replaced elements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for suspension ofimprinting operations and use of the device as an ordinary autographicregister, when that may be desired.

A still further object of the invent-ion is to provide for simple, errorproof carrying out of the imprinting andl other operations of themachine.

Still another object of the invention is to insure against wrinkling ordistorting of the forms during imprinting.

Still another object of the invention is to introduce in the imprintingunit a generally new ribbon feeding and reversing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a register mechanismembodying the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritoriouscharacteristics and mode of operation herein set forth, or theirequivalents.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefull-y appear in the` specilication, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent conitedl States Patent ECC sists of thefeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, as herein after described or illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred, butobviously not necessarilyhe only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a view in perspective of an autographi-c register constructedin accordance with the illustrated embodi ment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a View in top plan of the register, some of the parts beingbroken away;

Fig. 3 is a view like Fig. 2 with the lid removed and the writing tablebroken away;

Fig. 4 is a View in side elevation of the register, partly broken away;

Fig. 5 is a view in cross section, taken through the imprinting unit andan underlying portion of the register;

Fig. 6 is a detail View in side elevation of a part of the imprintingplate carrier;

Fig. 7 is a detail view in longitudinal section, taken substantiallyalong the line 7 7 of Fig. 3 and including the imprinting unit;

Fig. 8 is a detail view in plan of the plate carrier in imprintingposition;

Fig. 9 is a detail view in longitudinal section taken substantiallyalong the line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View in longitudinal section, takensubstantially along the line 2ML-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. ll is a detail View of an alternative cam arrangement by which theimprinting plate may be lowered between successive imprintingoperation-s in a single form advancing cycle;

Fig. l2 is a view in front elevation of the ribbon reversing mechanism,shown in alternate position with respect to that shown in Fig. 5; and

Figs. 13, 14 and l5 are detail views in longitudinal section, takensubstantially along the respective lines 13-13, lid-14 and 1515 of Fig.3.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, an autographic register in accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the invention is essentially the same asautographic registers as heretofore known, it being, as noted, an objectof the instant invention to allow the device to be used in theconventional manner as an autographic register, when desired.

As shown in Fig. l, the register includes a case 19 to one end of whichis hinged a lid 2l. The lid 21 has a central longitudinal opening 22exposing the record forms 23 and further has a transverse opening 24receiving an imprinting unit 25, later to be described in detail. Therecord forms 23 lie on a writing table 26 pivotally connected tobrackets 27 (Fig.'2) on Ythe case 19. The table 26 and lid 21 areconnected to the case 19 at opposite ends thereof so that they may belifted to an upright position in order to gain access to the interior ofthe case.

The record forms 23 comprise a manifold assembly made up of a pluralityof record strips and interleaved carbon strips, the several stripshaving transverse weak ened division lines spaced apart distancescorresponding to the length of the individual forms. The strips arefolded in the form of a pack 28 (Fig. 2) contained in the case 19 at therear thereof. The leading end of the strip is passed around an idlerroll 29 and extended forwardly over the table Z5, the first recordv formbeing thus presented in a recording position within opening 22.Advancement of the record strip assembly, which has marginalperforations 31, is accomplished by pin wheels 32 secured to atransverse shaft 33 and having radial pins 34 engageable with themarginal perforations in the record forms. The shaft 33 is journaledbetween the side walls of the case 19, and, outside the case, has acrank arm 35 secured thereto. Operation of the crank arm 35 turns theshaft 33 to advance the forms, the parts being ordinarily -constructedand arranged so that one complete turn of the crank arm advances one setof forms out of recording position. and brings the succeeding set intorecording position. A llutter plate 36 mounted on the front end of thewriting table occupies a predetermined interleaved relation with therecord strips. As an inscribed set of forms is ejected, therefore, someare guided out of the machine for detachment from the strip while othersare directed into a locked storage compartment 37 in the front of thecase 19.

The record forms are advanced beneath the imprinting unit 25 whichnormally occupies a position overlying the shaft 33, being secured tothe free ends of 'a pair of arms 38 and 39 (Figs. 3 and 4) connected attheir opposite ends to a shaft 41 journaled between the side walls ofthe case 19. The shaft 41 is spaced forwardly of the shaft 33 wherebythe unit 25 may beV swung on the arms 3839 upwardly and forwardly out ofoperating position for inspection purposes-or to permit the table 26 tobe raised. y

Referring to Figs. and 7, the unit 25 includes mating cover members 42and 43. To the inner wall of member 43 are fastened brackets 44 and 45defining respective attachment points for the arms .3S-39. Also attachedto the inner wall of member 43 is a generally rectangular frame 46, thebottom of which is open and in slightly projecting relation to thebottom of cover members 42 and 43. The unit 25 tends by its own weightto drop downward upon the table 26. Thus, the engagement of theprojecting frame 46 with the record strip on the table 26 may beutilized as a hold-down means to keep the record forms engaged with thefeeding pins 34 when the forms are in recording position. |l`heimprinting unit 25 thus performs the function of the hold-down barconventionally found in autographic registers. As an aid to theperforming of this function, the opposite ends of the frame 46 areformed with the so-called feed lingers 47 which extend in embracingrelation to the feeding pins 34.

So that the record forms may be advanced without interference from theimprinting unit, the latter is lifted slightly at the start of the formadvancing operation to disengage the frame 46 from its hold-downposition. -As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and l2 in the carrying out of thisfunction, each pin wheel 32 has integral therewith a disc 48 presentinga peripheral notch 49. Mounted on the arms 38--39 are rollers 51 eachcooperable with a respective disc 48. At the completion of a cycle ofoperation of the shaft 33, during which one set of forms has beenejected and another brought into recording position, the rollers 51 dropinto the notches 49 whereby frame 46 is allowed to press the recordforms upon the writing table 26. At the start of a form advancingoperation, however, the rollers 51 ride up out of the notches 49 and solift the imprinting unit and frame 46 therein to a position where freemovement of the forms is unimpeded. The imprinting unit remains soelevated throughout the form advancing cycle of yoperation of the shaft33.

The imprinting unit cooperates with an embossed printing plate on theopposite si-de of the forms, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.Considering now, however, the further construction of the unit 25, thesides of the frame 46 deiine guides for an inked ribbon 52 which extendsacross the open bottom of the frame 46. The ends of the ribbon 52 areattached to respective `spools 53 to the inner end of each of which isdetachably secured a ratchet 55. The spool and ratchet assemblies aremounted for rotary motion upon the brackets 44 and 45. The ratchets 55are turned by respective pawls 56 and 57 pivotally mounted on oppositeends of. a slide 58 and spring urged to engagement with their ratchets.The slide 58 has pins 59 received in slots 61 in a ribbon actuator 62,the slide 58 and actuator 62 being arranged in side-by-side relativelyreciprocating relation. A pawl 63 (See Fig. l2) is pivotally mounted onthe actuator 62 and is urged by a spring 64 into contact with the upperedge of the slide 58 where it is engaged alternately with notches 65 and66. The shifting of the pawl 63 from engagement with one notch 65 or 66to the other involves ya relative axial movement of the slide 58 to moveone pawl 56 or 57 more closely to its respective ratchet 55 and to movethe other pawl correspondingly away from its ratchet 55. As will beunderstood the described structure pertains to a ribbon reverseoperation wherein the positive drive of the ribbon spools may betransferred from one to another.

The ribbon actuator 62 is mounted on a bracket 67 fixed to the top ofthe frame 46, the actuator having pins 68 received in slots 69 in theinner upstanding wall of the bracket 67 which is substantially channelshaped. Extending through the slots 69, the pins 68 have rollers 71thereon. The opposite or outer wall of bracket 67 extends upwardlybeyond the actuator 62 and slide 58. At its upper end it provides,together with the cover member 43, a bearing for a shaft 72.Intermediate its ends the shaft 72 has an arm 73 secured thereto whichlies in the plane of the rollers 71. Adjacent its ends the shaft 72 hassecured thereto respective arms 74 which extend downwardly on oppositesides of the frame 46. The lower or outer ends of the arms 74 arebifurcated and engage the opposite ends of a shaft 75 which extendsthrough elongated slots 76 in the frame 46, the opposite ends of theslots 76 being turned upward. Mounted on the shaft 75 and riding in eachslot 76 are small guide rollers 77. Also mounted on the shaft, withinthe frame 46 is a relatively larger roller 78. The roller 78 is inoverlying relation to the inked ribbon 52 which extends across the openbottom of the frame 46. The dimensions of the roller 78 and the locationand dimensions of the slots 76 are such that movement of the rollerthrough the frame 46, as guided by rollers 77 in slots 76, results inthe roller applying pressure through the ribbon 52 upon the underlyingrecord forms. As the roller 78 approaches the end of the frame 46 thispressure is relieved, the guide rollers 77 riding up- Ward into theinclined ends of the slots 76. The roller 78 is caused to traverse theribbon 52 in the manner just referred to by a rocking motion of theshaft 72, this motion being manually initiated by means of a crank arm79 attached to the shaft 72 outside the cover assembly (see Fig. 1). Thecrank arm 79 is loosely mounted on the shaft 72 with a hub 81 thereofcircumferentially cut away to provide spaced abutment surfacesalternately engageable with-a pin 82 on one of the arms 74.

' In the operation of the unit, the crank arm 79 normally lies in agenerally horizontal position as indicated in Fig. 1. To effect animprinting operation,` the crank arm is grasped and swung about adistance of to an opposed position. hub 8,1 picks up the pin 82 and theassembly of parts includingshaft 72, arm 73 and arms 74 begins to rock,in the illustrated instance in a clockwise direction. er 78 is caused atonce to move and presses through the ribbon 52 upon the record forms.The initial motion of the arm 73 is without effect. Near the end of thepermitted motion, however, as the guide rollers 77 reach the inclinedterminal of the slots 76, the arm 73 engages a roller 71 and moves theribbon actuator 62 transversely of the register, or to the right in theexample considered. By reason of the engagement of the pawl 63 in anotch 65 or 66, the slide 58 is caused to partake of the movement of theribbon actuator, and the pawl 57 is moved to engage the ratchet 55 andimpart an increment of motion to the right hand spool 53. The

In the course of such motion, theA Rollribbon 52 accordingly is advanceda step at, about the same time the roller 78 is lifted by the cam slots76 from pressural contact therewith. e

In connection with the ribbon reverse mechanism it will be understoodthat if the slide 58 is moved so that pawl 63 engages notch 66, as inFig. 12, rather than notch 65, as in Fig. 5, then a clockwise directionof motion of the crank arm 79, as above described will be ineffective toadvance the ribbon. Instead, the ribbon will be advanced on the returnor counterclockwise direction of motion of the crank, and, of course, ina reverse direction. Shifting of the pawl 63 between the notches 65 and66 is` accomplished automatically. Thus, assuming the pawl to be engagedwith notch 65 the ribbon will be advanced through actuation of the righthand spool 53 until it is completely unwound from the left hand spool.On'the immediately succeeding operation, therefore, the ribbon is drawntight and the right hand spool resists actuation. Accordingly the slide56 is held from moving with the ribbonactuator 62 with the result thatthe pawl 63 on the actuator 62 rides up out of notch 65 and into notch66.

The ratchets 55 have detent pawls 83 pivotally mounted on the brackets44 and 45 and urged by springs 84 into engagement with the ratchets 55to prevent retrograde movement thereof. The pawls 83 have integral arms85 adapted to be depressed to disengage alternate pawls from theirrespective ratchet so that the associated spool will be released forfollowing movement with respect to the other spool. Such disengagementof the pawls S3 is accomplished b y a lever 86 (Pig. 12) pivotal- 1ymounted on the slide 58. Substantially oppositely eX- tending arms 37and 88 on the lever 86 overlie arms 85 on the pawls S3. The upper edgeof the lever 86 lies parallel to and extends substantially across thenotches 65 and 66. Further, an abutment shoulder 89 on the upper edge ofthe lever lies in cooperative relation with the pawl 63. Movement of thepawl 63 into the notch 66 causes the pawl to engage abutment shoulder 89and rock the lever S6 in a clockwise direction with the result, as shownin Fig. 12, that the right hand pawl S3 is disengaged from itsrespective ratchet 55. The opposite effect is gained by movement of thepawl 63 into notch 65, in the course of which motion it engages theupper edge of the lever and rocks it in a counterclockwise direction tothe position of Fig. 5.

The imprinting unit 25 acts in conjunction with an embossed printingplate 91 (Fig. 2) which may be the familiar identificationcharge-a-plate as used in department stores and the like to identify thepurchaser and to imprint his name, address and account number upon asales slip. The imprinting unit achieves cooperative relation with theplate 91 through an opening 92 in the writing plate 26, the printingplate being brought to regis try with such opening, on the underside ofthe table, by a carrier assembly 93. The carrier assembly occupies anormal position in a cut-out 94 in the lid 21 (Fig. l) where it isaccessible for placement and removal of the plate 91. The assemblycomprises an upper and a lower support 95 and 96 (see also Figs. 8 and9), the former having dependent feet 97 to which the latter is attachedby pins 98. The feet 97 hold the upper and lower supports 95 and 96 inspaced relation. Springs 99 interposed between the feet 97 `and theheads of the pins 98 hold the feet yieldingly upon the lower support 96while allowing a separating motion between the upper and lower supports.Received between the supports 95 and 96 and pivotally connected to lowersupport 96 is one end of a lever 101, the other end of which is securedto a post 102 (Fig. 8) rotatably carried by brackets 103 on the case 19.A torsion spring 104 (Fig. 4) on the post 102 urges the post in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, such motion beinglimited by a bracket 105 on the case 19, with which the lower supportingmember 96 is engageable. In underlying relation to the supports 95--96and lock precluding misoperation of the machine. in this structure is adisc 132 xed on the post 102. The

the lever 101 is a lever 106 pivotally connected to the post 102 andpresenting a plate portion beneath the support 96 and to which thesupport 96 is pivotally connected at point 107. Along one side edgethereof the plate portion of lever 106 has an upstanding lug 108 and onthe opposite side edge a projecting arm 109 (Fig. 3) upon which is anupstanding lug 110.

ln the operation of the plate carrier, a handle 111 on the lever 101 isgrasped and swung from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 2or S where it is aligned with the opening 92 in the writing table 26. Inthe course of such motion, the supports and 96 initially move relativelyto the lever 106, swinging about the pivot 107. When the supports engagethe lug 110, however, the entire assembly moves as a unit. The compoundmotion of the supports 95 and 96 is provided in order that the positionof the supports 95 and 96, and therefore of the printing plate 91, willbe square or aligned with the opening 92. By reason of thelongitudinally offset relation of the pivot post 102 with respect to theopening 92 motion of the plate carrier in a single sense would bring theplate 91 toimprinting position in a cocked or twisted condition. Theplate carrier is held in imprinting position by a latc'h112 (see Fig. 9)engageable with a turned over portion 113 on the plate support 96. Thelatch 112 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 41 and is vurged toeffective position by a spring 114 anchored on a xed cross rod 115.Motion of the latch under influence of the spring 114 is limited by anarm 116 thereon extending in underlying relation to the shaft 33. A cammember 117 on the shaft 33 engages the arm 116 near the end of eachcycle of a form advancement operation to release the latch 112 fromengagement with the portion 11.3 whereupon the plate carrier assembly isallowed to return to the normal position of Fig. 3 under the iniluenceof torsion spring 104.

The printing plate 91 is held on the upper plate support 95 by lugs 11Sand 119 which engage end notches 1,21 inthe plate. The lug 119 is iixedin the support 95. The lug 11S is on an arm 122 (see Fig. 3) pivotallyconnected to the underside of the support 95 through a pin 123. Atorsion spring 124 on pin 123 acts on a turned down ear 125 on the arm122 urging it in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3. The lug 118 onthe arm 122 passes through a slightly elongated opening 126 in support95 so that the lug is longitudinally movable with respect to the plate91 so that the plate may be freed therefrom. The lug 118 may normally beset to a released position by a cam surface 127 on the bracket 105, withwhich the ear 125 on arm 122 is engageable. According to one possiblemode of operation of the machine, the torsion spring 104 is madesufficiently strong that the impact of return engagement of the carrierassembly with bracket 104, and the camming effect of surface 127 on arm122, will serve automatically to eject the .printing plate from thecarrier.

The motion of the plate carrier to imprinting position is halted by ascrew stop i2@ (Figs. 7 and 8). Such stop is adiustably mounted in alever 129 rotatably mounted on the shaft 41 but having a bifurcated arm131 engaging the cross rod 1,15 to prevent rotary motion thereof.

Also seen in Figs. 3 and S, and in Fig. 14, is an inter- Comprised uppersurface of the disc presents a rai-sed segment 133 having sloping sides.Pivotally mounted on the cross rod 1.15 is a pawl 13d having upper andlower projecting portions 13e and 136. The pawl rests by gravity withprojecting portion 136 riding on the top of disc 132. Raised portion onthe pawl cooperates with a cam 137 (Fig. 14) on the shaft 33, such campresenting a continuous cylindrical portion 138 and a recessed portion139. Normally the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 14, wherein theprojecting portion 136 is at the base of the raised vsegment 133 andprojecting portion 135 is beneath the recessed portion 139 of cam 137but with the cam so positioned that the initial motion thereof in aclockwise direction will bring the cylindrical portion 138 over the pawlportion 135. As presently positioned the pawl 134 may be cammed upwardby action of the raised segment 133 as the post 102 is turned to bringthe printing plate to imprinting position. Should the shaft 33 be turnedprior to actuation of shaft 102, however, the pawl 134 will be lockeddown and so will prevent operation of the printing plate carrier untilthe cycle of operation of shaft 33 has been completed. Similarly, thepawl 134 will function to lock the shaft 33 against rotation during theperiod in which projecting portion 136 traverses the segment 133, thisperiod coinciding with the travel of the plate carrier from the loadingposition of Fig. l to the imprinting position of Fig. 8.

='In imprinting position the plate supports 95 and 96 receivetherebetween a platen member 141 (Figs. 3 and 15). Such member isintegral with or fixed to supporting arms 142 pivotally mounted on shaft41.- The platen is raised and lowered by cams 143 on shaft 33, theplaten being controlled by the cams through a yielding connectionrepresented by spring biased supplemental arms 144 pivotally mounted onthe arms 142.

The construction and arrangement afforded is such that the arms 144 mayride up on a raised portion of the cams 143 to elevate the platen 141,the platen acting upon upper plate member 95 to raise the printing plate91 into the opening 92 and approximately into the plane of the bottomrecord form of the record strip assembly. The lower portion of the cams143 is presented to the arms 144 in the normal position of the parts sothat the printing plate may be moved freely to and from imprintingposition. Operation of the unit 25 to effect imprinting may, therefore,take place at any time during the period that the high portions of cams143 are presented to arms 144.

-It is desirable to hold the imprinting unit 25 firmly in imprintingposition in order that ample reactant force may be had for the making ofan impression by the traversing motion of roller 78, as previouslydescribed. To this end the supporting arms 38 and 39 have identicalprojecting studs 145 (Figs. 3 and 10) thereon over which respective hookmembers 146 are adapted to engage. The hook members 146 are pivotallymounted on a cross shaft 147 and rest intermediate their ends onrespective cams 148 on the shaft 33. The cams 148 have a continuouscylindrical surface interrupted by a brief flat 149 upon which themembers 146 rest in the normal position of the parts. As the shaft 33begins to turns on the start of a form advancement cycle, however, themembers 146 are rocked upward and in a clockwise direction to place thehook portions thereof over the studs 145.

In its illustrative embodiment, the register is constructed and arrangedto make two imprinting impressions on a set of forms. The formadvancement cycle is interrupted twice to bring predetermined portionsof the form in imprinting position. Automatic' interrupting means isprovided including a two part cam 151 (Figs. 3 and l0) fixed on theshaft 33. The cam 151 has two recesses 152 and 153 spaced apartlaterally and in a circumferential sense. Cooperative therewith arerespective pawl members 154 and 155 pivotally mounted onv the crossshaft 147. Springs 156 urge the pawls in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in Fig. l0. At their one ends the pawls-154 and 155 bear upon thecam 151 and are engageable in respective recesses 152 and 153 to haltrotary motion of shaft 33. At their opposite ends the pawl members eachhave inclined cam surfaces 157 terminating in a notch 158. Engaging thecam surfaces 157 are cross pins 159 and 160 carried by respective levers161 and 162 pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 163 and extending upwardfor manipulation by the fingers of the operator. Motion of the levers ina counterclockwise direction (Fig. l) causes the pins 159 and to ride upon the cam surfaces 157 and rock the pawls to disengaged position withrespect to the recesses in the cam 151. At the top of the cam surfaces157 the pins159 and 160 become lodged in the notches 158 and hold thepawls in disengaged position. Near the end ofthe form advancement cycle,the pawls 154 and 155 are engaged by a high point 164 on the cam 151,rocking the pawls further in a clockwise direction to disengage thenotches 157 from the cross pins 159 and 160 whereupon the levers 161Yand 162 are returned by tension springsv 165 to the position of Fig.10.

=In the operation of the register, when the forms have been inscribed, aprinting plate 91 is mounted on the carrier assembly 93 and the carriermoved to imprinting-position whereit is automatically retained by theengagement of latch 112 with turned over portion 113. The crank handle35 then is turned to rotate the shaft 33, which motion is continueduntil the pawl 154 falls' into the recess 152 in cam 151. When the formadvancement motion is so interrupted lever 79 of the imprinting unit 25is swung from one extreme position to another, in the course of whichmotion the roller 78 travels across the unit 25 and applies pressurethrough the ribbon and record forms upon the printing plate 91 which issupported by platen 141. After imprinting, the lever 161 is pushedforwardly to disengage the pawl 154 from recess 152 whereby to releasethe shaft 33 for continued motion, such continuing motion being againinterrupted when the pawl 155 engages recess 153. Ther forms areaccordingly positioned for another imprinting operation, following whichthe lever 162 is actuated toV release the lever 155 so that the formadvancement operation may be completed. Near the end thereof latch 112is disabled for the release of the printing plate carrier and the pawls154 and 155 are acted upon by the high point 164 of cam 151 to free thelevers 162 and 162 from engagement with the notches 158.

It will be understood that the form stopping mechanism, as representedby the pawls 154 and 155 may be modified to increase or reduce thenumber of stops made in one form length for imprinting.

In Fig. 1l, a modified construction is shown wherein a feeding shaft166, corresponding to the shaft 33, has mounted thereon cams 167 (oneshown) corresponding to the cams 143 operative to raise and lower theplaten 141. The cam 167, however, has two spaced apart lobes 168 and 169which allow the platen to descend to an ineffective position betweenmovement of the forms to successive imprinting positions. Accordinglyimprinting cannot take place except when the platen is raised by one ofthe lobes 168 and 169, it being understood that the ca m 167 ispositioned so that elevation of the platen coincides with arrival of theforms in the positively defined imprinting positions.

lFrom the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the specificfeatures shown,

table, an imprinting unit in registry with said opening on the oppositeside of the table and cooperable with the identification plate throughsaid opening to print upon the intervening record forms, andinterlocking means preventing operation of said form advancing meansduring movement of said plate holder to and from registry with saidopening and preventing movement of said plate holder during operation ofsaid form advancing means.

2. An antographic register, including a case, means for advancing recordforms to and from a recording position, a Writing table carried by saidcase upon which said record forms lie when in recording position, saidtable having an opening therein, a pressure platen mounted on said casebeneath said table for rocking motion substantially into and out of saidopening, an imprinting unit supported by said case in overlying relationto said table in registry with said opening, said unit including aninking ribbon and a roller movable transversely to press said ribbon andthe intervening record forms upon said pressure member, means forrocking said pressure platen in timed relation to the advancement of theforms, and means for placing an embossed identification plate on `saidpressure platen.

3. An autographic register or like device, according to claim 2,characterized in that said last named means includes an identificationplate holder mounted on said case for swinging motion from a pointoutside said case to coperative relation with said pressure platen.

4. An autographic register, including a case, means for advancing recordforms to and from a recording position, a Writing table carried by saidcase upon which said record forms lie when in recording position, saidtable having an opening therein, a pressure member mounted on said casebeneath said table for rocking motion substantially into and out of saidopening, means for rocking said pressure member in timed relation to theadvancement of the forms, a holder for an embossed identification plate,said holder including vertically spaced apart portions, the upper one ofsaid portions mounting the identification plate and being movablerelatively to the lower portion, said holder being mounted on said casefor pivotal swinging motion toward cooperative relation with saidpressure member and being accessible from outside the case for mountingand removal of the identification plate, said pressure member beingreceived beneath the said upper portion of said holder, and means forapplying an imprinting pressure through the record forms upon theidentication plate.

5. An autographic register, according to claim 4, characterized in thatsaid last named means includes an irnprinting unit mounted on said casefor swinging motion to and from a position overlying the opening in saidtable.

6. An autographic register, including a case, a writing table on saidcase over which record forms are advanced to and from a recordingposition thereon, said table having an opening detining an imprintingposition, means for advancing the forms, a holder for an embossedidentitication plate pivotally mounted on said case for movement intoimprinting position beneath said table, means for applying an imprintingpressure through the opening in said tabie from the opposite sidethereof, a latch for retaining said plate holder in imprinting positionand means for enabling and disabling said latch in a timed relation withadvancement of the forms.

7. An autographic register, including a case, a writing table on saidcase over which record forms are advanced to and from a recordingposition thereon, said table having an opening defining an imprintingposition, an imprinting unit in overlying relation to said openingincluding a transverse inking ribbon and a roller movable thereover, anidentification plate holder movable into imprinting position beneathsaid opening, means for advancing said record forms through successivesteps bringing selected portions thereof into imprinting position, saidforms being imprinted by moving said roller to apply pressure throughsaid ribbon and said forms upon the plate on said holder, and meansmovable in timed relation to the advancement of the forms for applying abacking pressure to the identification plate holder.

8. An autographic register, including a case, a Writing table on saidcase, means for advancing record forms to and from a recording positionon said table, an opening in said table defining an imprinting position,an imprinting unit on one side of said table registering with saidopening, an identification plate holder pivotally mounted on said caseIand movable from a loading position outside said case to saidimprinting position, and an interlock preventing operation of said formadvancing means when said identification plate holder is in any positionintermediate loading and imprinting.

9. An autographic register, including a case, a writing table supportedby said case for advance of record strip material thereover, a lidmounted on said case and having an opening exposing a part of saidtable, an imprinting unit supported by said case in transverse overlyingrelation to said table, said lid having an opening receiving said unit,said table having an opening therein beneath said unit, anidentification plate holder mounted on said case for swinging movementin a plane beneath said table between an imprinting position beneathsaid opening in said table and a loading position beyond one side edgeof said table, said lid being cut away for access to said holder inloading position, and a handle attached to said holder and extendingthrough said case for moving said holder.

10. An autographic register according to claim 9, characterized by apressure platen mounted on said case beneath said table for reciprocablemovement out of and substantially into the said opening in said table,said holder having a relatively movable plate supporting portion movableby said pressure platen into the said opening in said table.

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